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Golden Valley, Minnesota

Coordinates: 44°59′25″N 93°21′31″W / 44.990233°N 93.358736°W / 44.990233; -93.358736
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Golden Valley, Minnesota
City
Golden Valley Library
Golden Valley Library
Official seal of Golden Valley, Minnesota
Logo
Location of Golden Valley, Minnesota
Location of Golden Valley, Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°59′25″N 93°21′31″W / 44.990233°N 93.358736°W / 44.990233; -93.358736
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyHennepin
Founded1886
IncorporatedDecember 17, 1886
Government
[1]
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorRoslyn Harmon
 • City managerNoah Schuchman
 • CouncilmembersSophia Ginis
Maurice Harris
Denise La Mere-Anderson
Gillian Rosenquist
Area
[2]
 • Total
10.544 sq mi (27.309 km2)
 • Land10.204 sq mi (26.427 km2)
 • Water0.340 sq mi (0.880 km2)  3.22%
Elevation
[3]
856 ft (261 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total
22,552
 • Estimate 
(2024)[5]
21,263
 • Density2,083.90/sq mi (804.60/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
55416, 55422, 55426, 55427
Area code763
FIPS code27-24308
GNIS feature ID0644201[3]
Sales tax9.775%[6]
Websitegoldenvalleymn.gov

Golden Valley is a western and first-ring suburb of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 22,552 at the 2020 census,[4] and was estimated to be 21,263 in 2024.[5] The city is mostly residential and is bordered by Interstate 394. Over 15% of it is parks or nature reserves.[7] Minnesota State Highway 55 runs through the city, providing a direct route to downtown Minneapolis.[8]

Golden Valley is the main corporate headquarters of General Mills, a major flour milling and food products company originally located in Minneapolis. It is the site of Pentair's U.S. headquarters and local NBC affiliate KARE. The city was also home to the former Minneapolis-Honeywell headquarters, which is now the Resideo Technologies corporate offices.[9]

History

[edit]

Ojibwe and Sioux tribes had encampments on nearby Medicine Lake. The first white settlers arrived in the early 1850s.[10] Golden Valley was incorporated on December 17, 1886. In the early 20th century, it was mostly a farming community.[11]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.544 square miles (27.31 km2), of which 10.204 square miles (26.43 km2) is land and 0.340 square miles (0.88 km2) (0.0%) is water.[2]

The 45th parallel north runs through Golden Valley, coinciding approximately with Duluth Street.

Interstate 394, U.S. Highway 169, and Minnesota State Highways 55 and 100 are four of the main routes in the area.

Education

[edit]
The chapel at Breck School, a private Episcopal school in Golden Valley

Most children who live in Golden Valley attend school in the Robbinsdale School District ISD #281 or the Hopkins School District ISD #270, as all of the city's territory belongs to one or the other. Some students attend public schools in other districts chosen by their families under Minnesota's open enrollment statute.[12]

Golden Valley High School was founded in 1957, and the adjacent Golden Valley Middle School opened in 1964.[13] Both closed in the early 1980s after the Golden Valley School District merged with the Hopkins School District. Carl Sandburg Junior High School opened in 1959. In 1988, it became Sandburg Middle School.[14] In 1981, the Breck School, a private Episcopal school, purchased the former Golden Valley High School and Middle School property and moved from Minneapolis to the campus of the former Golden Valley schools.

King of Grace Lutheran School is a Christian preschool, elementary school, and middle school of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Golden Valley.[15]

There is also a private elementary Catholic School named Good Shepherd Catholic School. Its name was changed in 2006 from Parkvalley Catholic.

What is now the site of the Perpich Center for Arts Education was originally Golden Valley Lutheran College, which closed in May 1985.[16]

Economy

[edit]
General Mills' corporate campus in Golden Valley.

Major employers in the city include:[1]

Golden Valley's population is around 22,000, but more than 30,000 people work there,[25] because of the presence of large employers including General Mills, Honeywell, and Pentair.

Top employers

[edit]

According to the City's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[26] the largest employers in the city are:

# Employer Type of Business # of Employees Percentage
1 General Mills, Inc. Multinational Food Manufacturer and Marketer 3,100 9.0%
2 Allianz Life Insurance Company Insurance Company 2,000 5.8%
3 Honeywell Incorporated Manufacturing 2,000 5.8%
4 Lubrication Technologies Industrial lubrication Solutions 750 2.2%
5 M.A. Mortenson Company Construction Contractor 575 1.7%
6 G.H. Tennant Company Cleaning Products 466 1.4%
7 Courage Center Non-Profit Rehabilitation Facility 400 1.2%
8 Preferred One Life and Health Insurance 300 0.9%
9 Marsh & McLennan Agency Insurance Brokerage and Risk Management Firm 300 0.9%
10 Breck School Education 250 0.7%
— Total employers — 10,141 29.5%

Demographics

[edit]
A deer in a Golden Valley neighborhood
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860301—
18701,173289.7%
18802,752134.6%
1890509−81.5%
190068033.6%
19106921.8%
192083019.9%
19301,32059.0%
19402,04855.2%
19505,551171.0%
196014,559162.3%
197024,24666.5%
198022,775−6.1%
199020,971−7.9%
200020,281−3.3%
201020,3710.4%
202022,55210.7%
2024 (est.)21,263[5]−5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[27]
2020 Census[4]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 9,671 estimated households in Golden Valley with an average of 2.22 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $114,435. Approximately 8.1% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Golden Valley has an estimated 66.5% employment rate, with 61.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 96.7% holding a high school diploma.[28]

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (88.4%), Spanish (3.4%), Indo-European (6.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (1.5%), and Other (0.6%).

The median age in the city was 44.3 years.

Golden Valley, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 2000[29] Pop. 2010[30] Pop. 2020[31] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 18,236 17,113 18,036 89.92% 84.01% 79.98%
Black or African American alone (NH) 720 1,412 1,512 3.55% 6.93% 6.70%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 51 72 54 0.25% 0.35% 0.24%
Asian alone (NH) 581 708 849 2.86% 3.48% 3.76%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 5 4 0 0.02% 0.02% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 30 40 131 0.15% 0.20% 0.58%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 301 484 1,114 1.48% 2.38% 4.94%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 357 538 856 1.76% 2.64% 3.80%
Total 20,281 20,371 22,552 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 22,552 people, 9,957 households, and 5,829 families residing in the city.[32] The population density was 2,211.6 inhabitants per square mile (853.9/km2). There were 10,495 housing units at an average density of 1,028.5 per square mile (397.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 80.64% White, 6.78% African American, 0.36% Native American, 3.78% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from some other races and 6.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.80% of the population.[33]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 20,371 people, 8,816 households, and 5,417 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,998.2 inhabitants per square mile (771.5/km2). There were 9,349 housing units at an average density of 917.47 per square mile (354.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.37% White, 7.07% African American, 0.42% Native American, 3.55% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from some other races and 2.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.64% of the population.

There were 8,816 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.6% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 45.7 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 30.9% were from 45 to 64; and 20.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 20,281 people, 8,449 households, and 5,508 families living in the city. The population density was 1,982.3 inhabitants per square mile (765.4/km2). There were 8,589 housing units at an average density of 839.5 per square mile (324.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.07% White, 3.59% African American, 0.29% Native American, 2.87% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from some other races and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.76% of the population.

There were 8,449 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,063, and the median income for a family was $75,899. Males had a median income of $49,890 versus $35,967 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,094. About 0.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Golden Valley is a statutory city, where the mayor votes with the city council. Golden Valley operates under the council–manager form of government. The city council sets the policy and overall direction for the city, and appoints a city manager to serve as administrator. The city manager directs city staff in carrying out council decisions and providing services.[1]

The mayor serves a four-year term. There are four council members serving staggered four-year terms. Two council seats are up for election every two years, in odd-numbered years. The council members run citywide; there are no wards. The current mayor is Roslyn Harmon. The current city council includes Sophia Ginis, Maurice Harris, Denise La Mere-Anderson, and Gillian Rosenquist.[1]

Politics

[edit]

Golden Valley is in Minnesota's 5th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Ilhan Omar, a Democrat. The city is split between two state legislative districts: 46A, represented by Representative Larry Kraft and Senator Ron Latz, and 45B, represented by Representative Patty Acomb and Senator Kelly Morrison. All four are Democrats.

Presidential election results
Precinct General Election Results[34]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2024 21.8% 3,305 76.0% 11,546 2.2% 335
2020 22.7% 3,590 75.1% 11,896 2.2% 348
2016 24.1% 3,313 68.0% 9,365 7.9% 1,093
2012 32.8% 4,595 65.3% 9,153 1.9% 262
2008 32.7% 4,564 65.9% 9,205 1.4% 208
2004 36.9% 5,138 61.9% 8,610 1.2% 163
2000 36.9% 4,792 57.0% 7,402 6.1% 793
1996 35.5% 4,347 56.6% 6,926 7.9% 973
1992 32.7% 4,486 47.9% 6,575 19.4% 2,673
1988 49.6% 6,666 50.4% 6,785 0.0% 0
1984 54.8% 7,541 45.2% 6,231 0.0% 0
1980 46.6% 6,347 40.6% 5,522 12.8% 1,745
1976 54.4% 7,266 43.8% 5,841 1.8% 239
1972 61.3% 7,491 37.3% 4,553 1.4% 168
1968 51.7% 5,680 45.6% 5,013 2.7% 302
1964 50.5% 4,749 49.2% 4,629 0.3% 25
1960 61.6% 4,422 38.3% 2,749 0.1% 10
1956 67.9% 3,368 31.7% 1,571 0.4% 21

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "City Council". City of Golden Valley, Minnesota. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Golden Valley, Minnesota
  4. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  6. ^ "Local Sales and Use Tax Rate Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Revenue. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  7. ^ "About Us". Golden Valley Historical Society. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  8. ^ "Minnesota's Officially Named Highways". North Star Highways. October 15, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  9. ^ "Our Locations". www.pentair.com. Pentair. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  10. ^ Golden Valley Historical Society (1986). Golden Valley: A History of a Minnesota City. pp. 3–4.
  11. ^ Upham, W. 190. Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society.
  12. ^ "Open Enrollment". Minnesota Department of Education. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  13. ^ Golden Valley Historical Society (1986). Golden Valley: A History of a Minnesota City. p. 25.
  14. ^ "Sandburg Middle School – History". Sandburg Middle School. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "School Home – King of Grace Lutheran Church and School". Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  16. ^ "Statement of Accreditation Status : Golden Valley Lutheran College". www.hlcommission.org. Higher Learning Commission. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  17. ^ "General Mills: A U.S. based food company. - General Mills". www.generalmills.com.
  18. ^ "UnitedHealth Group". www.nndb.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "NYSE, New York Stock Exchange > Listings > Listings Directory". Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  20. ^ "Global Floor Cleaning Machines & Services | Tennant Company". www.tennantco.com.
  21. ^ "English". www.pentair.com.
  22. ^ "Contact Us | Minnesota United FC". MLS. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Garten, Wolf. "Best Lawn & Garden Tools | Garden Equipment from BlueStone Garden". Wolf Garten USA.
  24. ^ "USFamily.Net". usfamily.net. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  25. ^ "City of Golden Valley, MN : Business Overview". Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  26. ^ "City of Golden Valley 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report" (DOC). June 25, 2025. p. 161.
  27. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  28. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Golden Valley city, Minnesota". www.census.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  29. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Golden Valley city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  30. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Golden Valley city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  31. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Golden Valley city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  32. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  33. ^ "How many people live in Golden Valley city, Minnesota". USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  34. ^ "Minnesota Secretary Of State - Election Results". www.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  35. ^ "Arlandson, John R. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  36. ^ Justin, Neal (November 13, 2007). "Neal Justin: Scott Burns' ultimatum". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  37. ^ Justin, Neal (August 1, 2017). "Minnesota's Kelly Lynch tapped into high-school 'horror' stories for new Stephen King project". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  38. ^ "Aaron Sele". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved November 26, 2022.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Golden Valley: A History of a Minnesota City, 1886-1986. Golden Valley Historical Society. 1986.
[edit]

Media related to Golden Valley, Minnesota at Wikimedia Commons

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